Preserving the Quality of Life for Those with Alzheimer's Disease

By Kelli Ewing, M.Ed., CIT, NCC, CCMHC, LPC

If you have had the experience of being a caregiver for someone diagnosed with alzheimer’s disease, there is a good chance you have witnessed simple everyday tasks becoming progressively difficult for your loved one. While medications and specialized therapies can be helpful throughout the progression of this illness, perhaps the most helpful tool in preserving vitality for your loved one is to keep them active; and there is plenty you can do to help achieve this!

In progressed stages, Alzheimer’s disease can negatively affect one’s memory, sensory perception, focusing ability, communication and decision making skills. For these reasons, it makes sense that activities geared toward enhancing these executive functions of the brain should be utilized with your loved one. These may include outings geared to the person’s interests, crafts and hobbies, music and being in nature. It is very important that your loved one find ways to stay connected to the world throughout the stages of this disease. Before choosing an activity, it is important to gauge your loved one’s ability to enjoy particular surroundings.

For example, many Alzheimer’s patients tend to be very sensitive to loud noises and bright lighting. While attending a musical or concert may have been one of your loved one’s favorite activities, this environment may now be over-stimulating, causing the person to become anxious. Consider renting a video of a musical or purchasing a CD that can be played in the comfort of home. Make an inventory of all of the person’s favorite activities and/ or pastimes. Brainstorm ways you can recreate these activities in environments that are pleasing to the person. As you engage in particular activities with your loved one, make note of his or her temperament. In later stages of Alzheimer’s disease, your loved one may not be able to verbalize if he or she is enjoying the activity, but their body language may assist you. Staying active with him or her through this process will help to lighten the burden of this illness for both of you!